Breast reduction surgery is quite invasive because the surgeon has to make incisions on your breast and extract excess fat, breast tissue, and skin. Therefore, you’ll need to take some time off from vigorous physical activity to allow your breasts to heal. But what exactly happens during recovery from breast reduction surgery? This article offers you advice on what should happen during recovery.

Immediately After Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast reduction surgery is usually an outpatient procedure that takes about two hours. However, it requires general anesthesia, meaning that you’ll remain in the hospital for another one or two hours after surgery to allow the effects of the anesthesia to subside. When you recover from the sedative, your surgeon will ask a few questions about how your feel and give you instructions on how to take care of your breasts at home.

The instructions include how to take care of the incisions, activity limits, and prescription drugs. You are free to ask your doctor as many questions as possible regarding your recovery. If you live alone, you should hire a caregiver or ask one of your friends or relatives to care for you during recovery.

First Week After Breast Reduction Surgery

You need to avoid strenuous physical activities during the first few weeks after breast reduction to allow your surgical wounds to heal. So, you will need to stay away from work for at least two weeks, especially if your work involves strenuous physical tasks. During the first two weeks, you should take as much rest as possible, eat well, drink enough fluids, and avoid heavy lifting.

You’ll also need to take painkillers to manage the soreness and discomfort in your breasts. You’ll feel mild pain and tightness in your breasts, especially in the first three to four days. So, take your prescription drugs on schedule and follow the instructions given by your doctor at the pre-op appointment.

First Month After Breast Reduction Surgery

Your incisions should be healed after one month. You should also be able to resume some of your less strenuous activities, especially those that don’t put too much pressure on your breasts. The pain in your neck and shoulders will fade away, and you will be able to wear fitting clothes.

Your surgeon may also clear you to go back to work after examining your breasts and confirming that the wounds are healed. But don’t forget that you are still in the healing process, so you should resume total activity immediately.